+119 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 90118000 were up 119% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€77.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat481.7 EUR million
EU exports of CN 90118000 to countries outside the EU were worth €481.7 million in 2025.
Eurostat132.3 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 90118000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €132.3 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +119% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
What this market covers
Optical microscopes use visible light and lenses to magnify small samples for study and inspection. Buyers are schools, research labs, hospitals and electronics makers.
Typical segments
- Compound microscopes
- Stereo microscopes
- Digital microscopes
- Inspection microscopes
Who buys
- Universities and schools
- Clinical and research labs
- Electronics manufacturers
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 56.8 EUR million |
| China | 56.4 EUR million |
| Japan | 21.9 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 12.8 EUR million |
| Switzerland | 6.0 EUR million |
| Singapore | 4.5 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €170.2 million of products under CN code 90118000 (Optical microscopes) from outside the EU in 2025. | 170.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 90118000 were up 119% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€77.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +119 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90118000 to countries outside the EU were worth €481.7 million in 2025. | 481.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 90118000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €132.3 million in 2025. | 132.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 90118000 to the EU in 2025, with €56.8 million, or 33% of extra-EU imports. | 56.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90118000 to the United States were €147.6 million in 2025. | 147.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 90118000 was €74.45 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 74.45 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 90118000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €341.9 million. | 341.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 2,200 enterprises in NACE class C2670 (Manufacture of optical instruments and photographic equipment) in 2023. | 2,200 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2670 had net turnover of €17.92 billion in 2023. | 17.92 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2670 employed 72,530 people across the EU in 2023. | 72,530 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| PubMed indexed 846 papers mentioning "optical microscopy" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 846 papers | 2025 | U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed) |
What the full report covers
- 1
Executive summary
The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.
- 2
Market size and outlook
History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.
- 3
Segments and regions
Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.
- 4
Company profiles
The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.
- 5
Data and method
Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
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- Excel data pack
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU optical microscope market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €170.2 million of goods under CN 90118000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €481.7 million.
Where does the EU import optical microscope from?
United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were China, Japan, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of optical microscope in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €74.45 per kilogram for CN 90118000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most optical microscope?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Sweden.
How many EU companies are in the optical microscope industry?
Eurostat counts 2,200 enterprises in NACE class C2670 (Manufacture of optical instruments and photographic equipment).
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90118000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 170241679
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90118000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 77814968; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 170241679
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90118000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 481713464
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90118000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 132324965
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90118000, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 56809955
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90118000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 147588606
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90118000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 170241679, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 22865
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 90118000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 341917944
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2670, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 2200
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2670, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 17917
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2670, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 72530
- U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed): PubMed search "optical microscopy"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
esearch count 846
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